Buying gifts for skiers and snowboarders is weirdly tricky. We’ll act stoked about almost anything snow-related, but half of it ends up shoved in the garage.
I’ve been on both sides… the guy getting a novelty snowboard mug (thanks Aunt Linda), and the rider unwrapping something I ended up using all season.
So whether you’re looking for the best gifts for skiers or the best gifts for snowboarders, this is the stuff I’d actually bother with.
Quick Picks
Under $50: Hertel HotSauce
Cheap, useful and they’ll actually use it.
Around $50–100: Gravity Grabber
Great if their skis or board currently spend half their life leaning against a garage wall.
If you’re going big: GoPro
Expensive, yes. But if someone bought me one of these, I’d be absolutely stoked.
Best Gifts for Skiers & Snowboarders
Buying for a skier or snowboarder is annoyingly easy to get wrong. The obvious stuff – boards, skis, bindings, boots – is usually the stuff I’d avoid unless they’ve told you exactly what they want. There are just too many ways to get the size, flex or fit wrong, and it’s a very expensive present to screw up.
So if you’re sat there thinking, great, what the hell am I supposed to buy them then? This is the stuff I’d look at.
I’ve used or tested everything here, and I’ve deliberately kept the list to things I’d actually be happy to give someone. Some are cheap, some are definitely not.
If you’re not completely sure what they already own, start near the top of the list. The first few are the safest bets for most skiers and snowboarders; further down I get into the more specific stuff for people who are a bit more particular about their gear.
1. Gravity Grabber Ski & Snowboard Rack My Pick for Most People
- Works with all skis and snowboards
- Doesn’t hang the gear by the tips or edges
- Easy to load and unload with one hand
- Keeps skis and boards off the garage floor
- No sizing or compatibility guesswork
- Works with all skis and snowboards
- Easy to load with one hand
- No sizing or compatibility issues
I’ve got a slight bias here because I hate skis and boards being leaned against walls. They fall over, scratch each other, get knocked by kids, dogs, vacuum cleaners… whatever happens to be passing.
I’ve done the whole “carefully arrange them in the corner of the garage” thing for years and it lasts about three days.
The Gravity Grabber is a stupidly simple fix. You screw it to the wall, push the ski or board into it and the rubber arms grab hold. That’s basically it.
What I like is that it works equally well for skis and snowboards. I’ve used it with normal resort setups and much wider powder gear without having to mess around with it. Plus, because it grabs the sidewall rather than hanging everything from a hook, the gear sits properly against the wall.
If the person you’re buying for has two or three pairs of skis, or a small snowboard collection that somehow keeps getting larger despite them insisting they “don’t need another board,” you can line several Grabbers up and make a really tidy little setup.
That’s probably why I rate it so highly as a gift. You don’t need to know their boot size, stance angles, preferred flex, DIN setting or any of the other stuff that makes buying ski and snowboard gear for someone else such a minefield.
They just need to own skis or a snowboard and have a wall.
And that short clip is genuinely all there is to it. Push the gear in, pull it back out.
I’ve got a full Gravity Grabber review if you want the long version. For a gift though, this is about as easy as snow gear gets. No sizing, no compatibility rabbit hole, and a very good chance it’ll still be on the wall years from now.
2. Hertel HotSauce Ski & Snowboard Wax My Budget Pick
- Works for both skis and snowboards
- One all-temp wax covers pretty much any normal resort conditions
- Easy to melt and scrape
- Big 340 g block lasts ages
- Can also be rubbed on if you’re caught without an iron
- The best (and my favorite) ski and snowboard wax
- One wax for pretty much any resort conditions
- Huge block that lasts ages
Wax isn’t the most exciting thing to unwrap, but that’s partly why I like it as a gift. Skiers and snowboarders actually use the stuff, and you don’t need to know their boot size, binding setup or any other annoyingly specific detail before buying it.
HotSauce is the one I’d go for. I’ve used it across everything from cold, hard snow to much warmer spring conditions and it’s remarkably unfussy. Melt it on, scrape it off and get on with your life. The massive white brick will also last them ages.
The packaging looks like it hasn’t changed since about 1993, which I actually quite like, but the wax itself is properly useful. It’s easy to work with, doesn’t turn scraping into an arm workout and I’ve comfortably had several solid days out of it before feeling like the base needed doing again.
You can rub it on cold if they’re in a rush, although I’d still buy this for someone who owns a waxing iron (← which is another great gift btw) or is likely to start waxing at home. If they’re already that sort of person, it’s a very safe present because eventually they’re going to need more wax anyway.
I’ve got a detailed Hertel HotSauce review if you want all the boring details about speed, durability and how it behaves in different snow. For gifting purposes, you don’t need to know a huge amount other than it’s an industry-leading wax at a great price point.
If you think your skier or snowboarder need a whole new kit (rather than just the wax), I’ve covered that too in option 4.
3. GoPro HERO13 Black Action Camera The One I’d Want
- Tiny enough to chuck in a jacket pocket
- Excellent stabilization for skiing and snowboarding
- 5.3K video gives you loads of room to crop later
- Easy to mount on a helmet, chest strap or pole
- One of those gifts they'll genuinely use for years
- Brilliant stabilization
- Small enough to carry every day
- A properly exciting gift to unwrap - I'd be stoked!
This is the expensive one. But if you’re buying for someone who’s properly into skiing or snowboarding and you want the present that gets an immediate “holy shit” when they open it, a GoPro is pretty hard to beat.
I’ve used them for years. Helmet mounts, chest mounts, selfie sticks, chasing friends down runs, filming powder days… and yes, producing hours of footage that nobody except me will ever willingly watch.
They’re just really well suited to snow sports. They’re tiny, the stabilization is ridiculously good now, and you can shove one in a jacket pocket rather than deciding whether carrying a camera is worth the faff.
The HERO13 Black is the normal one I’d buy (pictured below). It’s the latest in the Hero line and unless they already own a fairly recent GoPro, you don’t need to get too clever here. I’d ignore the new “Lit” and “Mission” lines – they’re not for most skiers or snowboarders.
The other reason I like this as a gift is that it has a bit more staying power than most expensive ski gear. Boards get replaced. Goggles get scratched. Gloves mysteriously disappear in mountain bars.
A decent GoPro can follow someone around for years. In fact, if anyone in my family is reading this, mine is starting to look suspiciously old. Just putting that out there.
There is one other option worth knowing about.
If the person you’re buying for likes filming themselves, messing around with invisible selfie-stick shots or generally making their riding look considerably better than it really is, have a look at the GoPro MAX2.
It shoots 360°, which means you can basically forget about pointing the camera in the right direction and choose the shot afterwards.
That’s particularly handy on a snowboard because holding a pole while simultaneously trying to frame yourself is a ridiculous skill nobody asked for.
I’m borrowing my buddies MAX2 for this winter and I’m taking it to Japan in January for a proper powder test. I am ridiculously excited about it. Prepare to be spammed with footage!
For most people though, I’d still buy the HERO13 Black. It’s simpler, smaller and much easier if they just want great footage without getting into 360 editing.
4. Demon Complete Tune & Wax Kit My Pick for Home Tuning
- Proper temperature-controlled waxing iron
- Everything needed for waxing and basic edge work
- Includes scraper, file, edge tuner, brush, P-Tex and wax
- All packs into one case instead of ending up scattered around the garage
- A good fit for someone who wants to start maintaining their own skis or board
- All packed into one case
- Great value for money
- Proper waxing iron - which is the most important part!
If they already wax their skis or board, complain about what shops charge for a tune, or have started accumulating random scrapers and files in the garage, then brilliant. This is a genuinely good gift.
I’ve used at least a dozen tuning kits myself, and the bit I always judge them on is the wax iron. Demon include a proper adjustable-temperature iron, not some tiny travel iron chucked in to make the kit look complete. That’s a big part of why I tend to stick with Demon these days.
With this kit, they’ll also get the scraper, edge tuner, file, brush, tuning stone, P-Tex and a bunch of the little bits you inevitably end up buying separately otherwise. The included wax is good too, although once it’s gone I’d just replace it with whatever wax suits where they ride (perhaps the GOAT, Hertel Wax).
The other thing I appreciate is the case. Everything has its own place. After years of finding wax shavings, files and scrapers in random boxes, bags and the back of the car, I’m apparently now old enough to get excited about organised tuning tools.
Note: My current kit laid out above is actually the even bigger Demon Charger Tune Kit. It comes with more wax, more brushes and a few extra tuning bits. It’s a great upgrade if they’re a full nerd like me and properly into doing their own tuning, but for most skiers and snowboarders the standard Complete kit is plenty.
I’ve compared a load more options in my ski and snowboard wax kit guide, but if you want to buy one decent set and be done with it, the Complete kit is the one I’d go for.
They already have some kit and/or tools? Then I wouldn’t buy them another full kit. A good waxing iron on its own is a much smarter present.
The Demon Slide Iron can be bought separately, or the Swix iron in the photo above is also excellent. They’ll suit pretty much every amateur skier or snowboarder – I wouldn’t spend any more than that. Any additional features are usually unnecessary.
5. Smith I/O Mag XL Goggles My Premium Pick
- Excellent ChromaPop lenses with really strong contrast
- Magnetic lens swap is genuinely quick, even with gloves
- Comes with lenses for bright and lower-light days
- XL frame gives a big field of view without feeling ridiculous
- The sort of expensive upgrade riders want, but won't buy for themselves
- Brilliant ChromaPop lenses
- Really easy magnetic lens swap
- A properly good luxury gift
Okay, these are expensive. There’s no getting around that.
But this is also exactly the sort of thing that makes a great gift. Plenty of skiers and snowboarders (myself included) will happily keep using the same slightly battered goggles for years because dropping serious money on a new pair feels unnecessary. Open a box with these in it though? Different story.
I’ve used a lot of Smith goggles over the years and the I/O Mag XL is still the one I’d choose for myself. The ChromaPop lenses are excellent, the field of view is huge and the magnetic lens system means changing lenses takes seconds rather than turning into a wrestling match with freezing fingers.
The XL is important here. I prefer the extra room and wider view, but if the person you’re buying for has a smaller or narrower face, I’d go for the regular Smith I/O Mag instead. Same basic idea, just a less enormous frame.
And if you really want to go nuts, there’s the Smith 4D Mag. Those are even more expensive, even more ridiculous and extremely cool. The curved lower section of the lens gives you an even bigger view downwards. I’ve got a pair and I love them, but I’d still say the I/O Mag XL is the easier recommendation for most people.
That’s the 4D Mag above. They’re the sort of goggles you absolutely do not need, but will immediately understand the appeal of once you put them on.
Either way, this is very much the “I want to spoil them” end of the list. They’ll get used every day on the mountain, they should last for years, and unlike buying someone skis, boots or bindings, you’re not trying to secretly work out their stance width and boot size before Christmas.
I genuinely don’t know many riders who wouldn’t be stoked to open a pair of these.
6. The Art of Shralpinism My Book Pick
- Part mountain book, part philosophy, part hard-earned advice
- Written by Jeremy Jones after decades in the mountains
- Interesting even if they already own loads of ski or snowboard gear
- One of those books you can dip back into rather than read once and forget
- A much easier gift than trying to guess someone's gear setup
- Much more than a coffee-table book
- Proper mountain stories and lessons
- Easy gift if they already own all the gear
If I was buying one ski or snowboard book as a gift, this is probably the one.
The Art of Shralpinism is written by Jeremy Jones, so yes, technically it’s a snowboard book. I appreciate that some skiers will already be twitching at that sentence. But it’s really a book about mountains rather than snowboarding.
There’s stuff on risk, decision-making, progression, fear, travel and just generally spending a stupid amount of your life chasing snow. I picked it up expecting something I’d read once and stick on a shelf, but it’s actually one I keep going back to.
It also looks great, which matters when you’re giving someone a book for Christmas rather than quietly ordering it for yourself.
But, if they’re a skier who absolutely refuses to take life advice from a snowboarder, I’d go with 100 Slopes of a Lifetime instead. It’s much more of a travel/dream-trip book, with famous ski areas and mountains around the world, and it’s an easier crowd-pleaser.
I’ve had a copy for years and still end up picking it up every now and again. Especially in summer. The pictures are epic and it’s great for picking out potential future spots.
But if they actually care about riding, mountains and why we keep wasting all our money going back to them, I’d buy Shralpinism.
7. Demon FlexForce X Impact Shorts My Protection Picks
- A good shout for beginners, park riders and anyone who falls a lot
- Useful for snowboarders and skiers
- Proper hip, thigh and tailbone protection
- Protective without feeling ridiculously bulky
- The kind of thing people appreciate after their first fall
- Hip, thigh + tailbone protection
- Works for skiing and snowboarding
- Much less bulky than old-school pads
Your skier or snowboarder should already have a helmet. And even if they don’t, helmets are a slightly awkward gift because fit is so personal,
Protection like impact shorts is easier. Sizing still matters, obviously, but you’ve got a lot more margin for error than you do with a helmet, and pretty much anyone can use them — skiers, snowboarders, beginners, park riders, or those of us who are simply getting old enough that landing on our ass is a potential season-ender.
I’d go with the Demon FlexForce X. I’ve used a lot of impact shorts over the years and these strike the perfect balance between actual protection and not feeling like you’ve stuffed a couch cushion down your trousers.
They cover the bits that usually take the punishment – hips, thighs and tailbone – and they’re slim enough to disappear under normal ski or snowboard pants. They’ll still know they’re wearing them, obviously, but they don’t feel like motocross armour.
For most people, this is the easiest protective gear gift on the list. It works for skiers and snowboarders, it doesn’t require loads of technical knowledge, and it’s the sort of thing people suddenly become very grateful for after one proper slam.
But there are other items to consider…
If they snowboard, I’d seriously consider wrist guards. Wrist injuries are one of the most common snowboard injuries, especially for beginners, and I’ve broken both of mine twice. So I’m probably more evangelical about this than most people.
The Demon Flexmeter is the wrist guard I rate highest. It’s not just a bit of plastic strapped to your palm – the flexible design is intended to gradually spread force further up the forearm rather than concentrating it at the wrist.
They’re more expensive than most wrist guards, but if I was buying protection specifically for a snowboarder, these are “hands-down” the ones I’d choose.
For skiers or snowboarders who ride harder, spend time in the park or simply want more spine coverage, the Demon Ghost D3O is the other item I’d look at. It’s slim, flexible and far less annoying than the old hard-shell back protectors I grew up with.
Not everyone runs back-protection though, so it’s probably worth doing some subtle recon before planning it as a gift. If it’s something they’re interested in, the Ghost is an extremely solid option.
And yes… eagle-eyed readers will also spot a knee pad in the layout photo above. I’ve tested plenty of those too and had planned to add them to this gift guide. But knee protection is a bit more personal. Some people want a thin pad, some want proper hinged support, and some can’t stand having anything bulky around the knee at all. Probably not worth risking it unless you already know.
I’ve gone into that properly in my ski and snowboard knee protection guide, but for a general gift I think impact shorts or wrist guards are the much easier recommendation.
So, broadly: impact shorts for almost anyone, Flexmeters if they snowboard, and a back protector if they’re already pretty serious about protection.
8. Smartwool & Darn Tough Ski Socks My Practical Pick
- Both are excellent merino ski and snowboard socks
- Warm without being ridiculously thick
- Smartwool feels a little softer; Darn Tough a bit denser
- Much better than cheap bulky ski socks
- I use both and genuinely wouldn’t overthink the choice
- Proper merino ski socks
- Warm without the bulk
- I use both - either is a great shout
Good ski socks are boring right up until you spend a day wearing bad ones.
I mostly rotate between Smartwool and Darn Tough, and I’d happily give either as a present. They’re warm, comfortable and properly made for ski boots and snowboard boots. Importantly, they’re also not stupidly thick.
That last bit matters more than people think. A lot of skiers and snowboarders assume warmer means thicker, then cram a huge sock into an already snug boot and wonder why their feet are freezing. Too much bulk can mess with the fit and restrict circulation. A decent merino sock does the job without turning your boot into a duvet.
The grey pair above are Smartwool and the darker pair are Darn Tough. I use both regularly.
Smartwool tend to feel a little softer and more plush. Darn Tough feel a bit denser and more hard-wearing. I honestly wouldn’t overthink it — I’d happily ride in either.
If you’re not sure which thickness to buy, I’d usually stick with a light or medium cushion rather than going for the thickest sock on the shelf. Your boots should be doing most of the insulating; the sock is there to keep things comfortable, manage moisture and stop your feet turning into a swamp.
They’re also one of the easiest gifts on this list if the person you’re buying for already owns loads of gear. Socks wear out, sizing is pretty forgiving, and another genuinely good pair will always get used.
9. SOTHING Ski & Snowboard Boot Dryer My Underrated Pick
- Extendable hoses reach properly down into ski and snowboard boots
- Three heat settings plus a timer
- Much more compact than a permanent four-post dryer
- Useful for gloves and other wet gear too
- Exactly the sort of thing people rarely buy themselves
- Dries deep inside ski boots
- Heat settings + timer
- Compact enough to put away
A boot dryer is one of those deeply unexciting things that suddenly becomes bloody brilliant once you own one.
Anyone who skis or snowboards enough has done the morning routine of pulling on boots that are still slightly damp from the day before. Best case, it’s unpleasant. Worst case, they absolutely stink and your toes start the day cold before you’ve even made it to the lift.
This little SOTHING dryer is the one I’d buy if you want something compact. The hoses extend far enough down into proper ski and snowboard boots, you can choose the heat level and set a timer, then leave it to get on with it.
It’s also useful for gloves, which is almost as important. There’s nothing quite like pulling on yesterday’s still-damp gloves at 8am. Sucks.
One thing I would do with ski or snowboard boots is use gentle heat rather than absolutely cooking them. You’re trying to dry the liner, not roast the thing into a new shape.
The biggest reason I like this as a gift is that it’s something plenty of riders would never think to buy for themselves. Then, once they have one, it gets used constantly.
But… If they’ve got a permanent gear room, dry boots for more than one person, or you just want to buy the more serious version, I’d upgrade to the DryGuy boot dryer.
It takes up more room, but the four drying posts make much more sense for couples, families or anyone wanting to dry boots and gloves at the same time. That’s the one I’d choose for a permanent home setup; the smaller SOTHING makes more sense if space matters.
10. Small Ski & Snowboard Gifts My Stocking Filler Picks
Not everything needs to be a massive present. If you just need something small to throw in a stocking, add to another gift or buy for someone who already owns far too much ski gear, these are the little things I’d actually bother with.
Boot Bananas
Cheap, slightly ridiculous and genuinely useful. Chuck them into damp ski or snowboard boots at the end of the day and they help absorb moisture while keeping the smell under control.
They’re especially good for trips where boots are getting used day after day and never quite have enough time to dry properly. Not glamorous, but very easy to gift and they’ll actually get used.
Bosvision Ski & Snowboard Lock
One of those things nobody thinks about until they leave a very expensive pair of skis or snowboard outside a mountain restaurant. This is small enough to keep in a jacket pocket or backpack, so there’s really no excuse not to carry one. It obviously won’t turn your gear into Fort Knox, but it’s a lot better than leaving it completely unsecured while you disappear inside for lunch.
Dakine Modular Mat
Snowboard-only, obviously, but a good little gift if their board doesn’t already have a stomp pad. It gives you some grip when you’ve only got one foot strapped in, which makes getting off lifts and shuffling around considerably less annoying. Cheap, easy to fit and one of those tiny upgrades that can stay on the board for years.
Fifty Places to Ski & Snowboard Before You Die
More travel inspiration than instruction. It jumps around some of the most iconic ski and snowboard destinations in the world, with stories, history and plenty of ideas for future trips. A good one for somebody who spends half their life looking at trail maps, planning the next holiday and adding places to an ever-growing mountain bucket list.
These aren’t the exciting, open-the-box-and-lose-your-shit presents. They’re just useful little things that skiers and snowboarders actually end up using. Cheap enough to chuck in with something else, hard to get badly wrong, and much less likely to end up buried in a drawer with all the novelty ski tat.
Ski & Snowboard Gift Buying Guide
Buying for a skier or snowboarder gets much easier once you stop trying to guess the really technical stuff. A few rules will save you from buying something expensive that never gets used.
1. Don’t Guess on Skis, Snowboards, Boots or Bindings
Unless they’ve told you exactly what they want, I’d avoid the big-ticket hardware.
Boards and skis depend on weight, ability, riding style and personal preference. Boots are even more personal, and bindings still need to suit the board, boots and rider.
If they’ve sent you the exact model and size, great! Otherwise, buy something around their setup rather than the setup itself.
2. If You Don’t Know Their Setup, Keep It Simple
If you know absolutely nothing about their gear, that’s fine.
Wax, good socks, a boot dryer, a storage rack or a book are all much harder to get wrong than boots, outerwear or technical hardware.
Some of the least exciting-looking gifts on this list are probably the ones that’ll get used the most.
3. Protection Is Great (If It Fits)
Impact shorts are relatively easy to buy if you know roughly what size they wear. Wrist guards are also a particularly good shout for snowboarders.
Helmets, knee protection and more fitted protective gear are trickier. I’d only buy those if you know their size and have a decent idea of what they actually want.
4. There’s Nothing Wrong With Going Big
Some of the best gifts on this list are expensive. But… if someone bought me a GoPro or a pair of Smith Mag goggles, I’d be absolutely buzzing. They’re the sort of things plenty of riders want, stare at online and then talk themselves out of buying because they don’t really need them.
That’s exactly what can make them such good presents.
You absolutely don’t need to spend that much, but if you have the budget and you know they’ll use it, there’s nothing wrong with buying the ridiculously cool thing.
Final Thoughts
I’ve spent far too many years buying ski and snowboard gear, being given ski and snowboard gear, and accumulating random crap that seemed like a good idea at the time.
The stuff that sticks around usually falls into one of two camps.
It either solves an annoying little problem – wet boots, boards falling over in the garage, freezing feet, smashing your ass into the ground – or it’s something you’ve wanted for ages but couldn’t quite justify buying for yourself.
If I didn’t know much about their setup, I’d buy the Gravity Grabber, HotSauce, socks or the boot dryer and feel pretty confident about it.
If I knew they’d been lusting after a GoPro or a proper pair of Smith goggles and I had the budget? Screw it. That’s the fun Christmas present. They’re going to be freaking stoked.
The only stuff I’d genuinely avoid is trying to be clever with skis, snowboards, boots or bindings unless they’ve told you exactly what they want. There are simply too many expensive ways to get that wrong.
Beyond that, don’t overthink it. Buy them something they’ll use, something they’d probably never buy themselves, or ideally… both!
